2024 GX Engine Recall? (6 Viewers)

[DJ’s Sled]

One thing I can say is my Genuine Toyota 0w20 almost sheared out of grade after 4100 miles. I believe the minimum KV100 spec for Xw20 according to SAE J300 is 6.9cSt, and looking at my used oil analysis, its KV100 viscosity was 6.97cSt.

According to this new oil analysis of Toyota 0w20 from 2021, its original viscosity should be around 8.2cSt: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/toyota-0w-20-sp-voa.341709/

KV100 is only one metric out of many, but I think this gives credibility to a 5k mile oil change interval, at least if you plan to run genuine Toyota / Lexus 0w20 oil. Sadly, my oil analysis company doesn't appear to measure HTHS, which would be another indicator of oil film protection under the heavy loads and high heat seen in bearings.

Here's my UOA:

View attachment 17747

So one question for you.
My RV trailer - very tall, wide - weighs about 6000 lbs. In your opinion which oil is a wiser, safer choice 0w-30, or 5w-30?
TIA.
DJ.

 

[cmfhsu]

TL;DR: I don't think 0w30 vs. 5w30 matters very much - the specific oil you choose and how you tow I think are more impactful. Whatever oil you pick, I suggest 5k mile oil change intervals or shorter.

I'm no oil expert, but as I understand, there's pretty big variability even in oils of the same grade (Xw30 in your case). I believe API SP (or GF-6A like Lexus recommends - it's the same spec) oils will have significantly lower HTHS than some of the euro oils, despite being marketed with the same grade, because HTHS is a large driver of fuel efficiency.

If you tow infrequently, any 0w30 or 5w30 API SP will probably be fine. In fact, you could probably get away with a 0w20 if you change your oil every 5k miles. Many Xw30 oils shear down to a 20 grade over the course of an oil change anyway.

I'm running Mobil 1 ESP 0w30 - a euro oil with a high starting HTHS of ~3.5 cP - because I believe it exceeds all API SP requirements and should give better, longer-lasting bearing film protection under extremely high heat, high load scenarios like towing up and down mountains in the dead of summer where I'll do most of my towing. Even if it shears, it should shear down to the level you'd normally see in an API SP Xw30, and it's available at my local Walmart. I haven't run it long enough to have an oil analysis run on it, so we'll have to see how that goes.

Some well regarded API SP oils are Mobil 1's normal line of oils (now called Triple Action I think), Mobil 1's Extended Performance line (if it's still available and isn't wrapped into Triple Action now), Pennzoil Platinum, Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, Valvoline's Full Synthetic oil, and Valvoline Restore and Protect.

Honestly, any full synthetic oil available in the US is pretty decent under a 5k mile oil change, even if it says "Walmart SuperTech" on it. Just do your best not to mix oils if you can help it.

 

[bart]

Here's an interesting video about changing the oil grade. Bottom line is, if you trust the source , test with oil analysis if a different grade is actually better for you're engine, driving state, climate, etc. But don't trust oil analysis before hitting 10k miles mark.